This past spring, Brody Westbrooks became a top recruit. The North Forsyth righthander led his team on the mound and stood out in a county already stacked with next-level pitching talent, allowing just 39 hits, compiling 51 strikeouts and recording a 2.54 ERA in 49 2/3 innings as a sophomore.

The interest started heating up for Westbrooks, with schools like Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Georgia Tech getting in touch. In June, the Yellow Jackets gave Westbrooks his first offer. And on Sunday, he rewarded Tech for their early faith, giving his verbal commitment to coach Danny Hall's program.

Westbrooks isn't the first county pitcher in his class to commit to a high-major school: Forsyth Central's Mitchell Gross committed to Georgia before his sophomore season had even begun. And while Westbrooks' commitment also fits with the recent acceleration of the baseball recruiting schedule, he felt he was in no rush to commit.

"Social media puts this burden on athletes to commit as soon as they get an offer even if it may not be the right fit," Westbrooks said via Twitter direct message. "They just want to be "committed." I tried to wait it out and see if it was truly the right place for me and if it had the offer what I wanted. I do not feel like I have committed early because I have put a lot of thought in, and I know in my heart (that) it is the right choice."

Georgia Tech has been particularly active in Forsyth County lately: Recent West Forsyth graduate Hank Flood was committed to the Yellow Jackets for a time, and Wolverines rising sophomore Wyatt Crowell received an offer from Tech in August.

Westbrooks was attracted to the home-like feel he got from Tech's program, and the other players he saw committing gave him a good feeling about the program's future chances.

Just because it's not the spring doesn't mean Westbrooks isn't busy with baseball: He's getting ready this week to play in the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Florida, where Westbrooks will have the opportunity to take the next step and get the attention of pro scouts.